Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-02-14
Queer Ammunition.
REFUSING A PARTY OF INDIANS WITH
ROMAN CANDLES.

Zone of nv adventures, ehp" began
he book agent as the others settled into
their seats more comfortably. ''Well,
about eight years ago carried pack of
novelties, such as YOU Frequently see ex
hibited on The street corners and presided
over bv sun. burned Italian. With anolh
er man and Young fellow of eighteen.
travelled through Kansas to the Colorado
line, selling and trading our wares to the
Indians for anything marketable in the
cities. About the Time Of our arrival in
the western part of Kansas the memorable
Indian outbreak was terrorizIng the c"un
try. From the south and west came re
ports of the terrible outrages perpelrated
by the Indians and greasers. Houses
were burned. the inmates were killed in
stanty or tortured to death, and all the
cattle were driven off and scattered. You
may be sure ielt considerable solicitude
concerning the safety OF my little party.
and took extra precautions to find secluded
spots when camping. OF course, under
the conditions, deemed it advisable to
get out of the neighborhood Immediately.
TO do 50 we found it necessary to pass
through the country most likely to be in
tested by struggling bands Of Indians.
Despite the risks we determined to make
the attempt. After a long, hard DAYS
tramp, we encamped for the night in one
Of those small canyons SO prevalent in
Western Kansas. 1t was an excellent
place. too. Our backs were effecuallv
protected by a natural cave in the side of
the bank, the entrance to which was con
cealed by brush and tall grass Sam. the
boy OF the party. was An unusually bright
young fellow. and very familiar with the
tactics of Indian warfare. just before
living down noticed him untyng good
sized bundle of sticks resembling short
broom handles. He placed them in easy
reach and tumbed down to sleep. had
also noticed him lumbling around the
bushes short time before. but didn't paw
much attention to his actions. The other
fellow and myself concluded no. to set
guard, as we were in such an excellent
place. don't know how long we had
slept when we were awakened by Sam
shaking us slightly and whispering:
"Be quiet now, the Indians are getting
ready to slip in on u.s.
Bv this time we were both wide awake
and ready wi our rifles.
"Listen!' hispered Sam; .hear the
dirty scamps slipping up. Put down the
rifles. I've got something better"
He handed us each one of the four
sticks mentioned. remalkirg:
"Them's Roman candles. I've got a
pile of whoppers along, and l think we
can scare these scamps clean out O. their
hides
caught the idea in a moment, and
strained nv ears to listen for further
demonstrations from the attacking party.
We could hear them creeping here and
there through the bushes, scarcely max.
ing noise, but easily distinguished in
the silence of the night.
Now, whispered Sam. take two 10
each hand and I'll light them"
Suiling the action 10 the word he con-
trived to light them in rapid succession.
Then we turned them into the bushes.
and heavens. what a sight was revealed
as the candle flashed. About fifty villain
Gus looking savages and greasers were
STOPPING and creeping toward US. At the
first flash they stopped as it spell bound.
We turned them so the green and white
balls would strike them in the faces
The candles were tremendous affiirs, and
eight or ten of them popping away ap-
parently independent OF human aid, was
enought TO terrorize any one. Our assail-
ants wavered a moment then, and, with a
terrible yell. bounded away toward high
ground as if the devil himself was in
pursuit. We could hear them scramble
up the hillside, mount their horses and
gallop away. Sam afterward explained
that he had brought.the candles along as a
side speculation, and he also explained
that he had arranged system of strings
among the bushes so that no one could
approach very close without meeting the
obstruction and alarming him. 1t is need
less to state that we reached safe ground
in due time without further molestation.
Omaha Herald.